Amid furore over ‘promotion’, Pachauri goes on leave

New Delhi: Amid the national outrage over his appointment as The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Executive Vice Chairman, and fresh sexual assault charges, RK Pachauri has proceeded to go on leave.

Despite being embroiled allegations of multiple sexual harassment, he was recently elevated to the newly created post of the Executive Vice Chairman.

The elevation triggered severe criticism from the alumni and women activists across the country.

“It’s a shameful and shocking case of clear violation of the law against sexual harassment at the work place. The fact that somebody who is an accused, whose case is going on in the court should be promoted by TERI, is just a violation of the law and it has to be prevented,” Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat told ANI.

Pachauri’s decision to proceed on leave came after students of 2013-2015 batch of TERI refused to accept degrees from him.

Meanwhile, another former employee of TERI has accused Pachauri of harassing her sexually.

The woman’s lawyer Vrinda Grover said that they had first reported the matter to police in February last year but they did not do anything till date forcing her to come out in public with the charges.

“A year ago, we informed Police that there are two other women who want to give statement, and their statement will show that he is a habitual sexual harassment offender and that will show the conduct of this man,” Grover told ANI.

She further said that her letters to DCP South and Police Commissioner didn’t get any response, no statements were taken in this regard.

“Unfortunately he (RK Pachauri) is very powerful and influential person,” she added.

Pachauri has been charged with sexual harassment by a woman researcher who used to work directly under the veteran climate scientist and later resigned from her job as she felt ‘let down’ by TERI. She has now moved to another organisation. (ANI)